05/25/2007 01052

BUSINESS ANALYST 2

DEFINITION: This is analytical work in documenting, enhancing, and maintaining business processes for their application to information technology (IT) systems.

An employee in this job serves as a liaison between business users and the IT staff performing system coding. The focus of this work is on identifying and documenting existing business processes, working with business users to develop and implement improved business processes for their application to an IT system in support of agency program policy, and coordinating resources to implement and support business and system changes. Work also typically involves preparing or reviewing functional specifications for system development or enhancements, developing user test scripts, coordinating or conducting system testing, training users, troubleshooting user or system problems, and developing queries and reports. At this level, work involves redesigning business processes with several variables or operational requirements with multiple integration points with other internal and external systems within a subsystem or key functional areas of a highly complex IT system. Work may also involve evaluating the effectiveness of a project or a contract to ensure goals, objectives, or terms are met and conducting research on business software solutions. Work is performed independently and is reviewed for accomplishments by a higher level business analyst, administrative or technical supervisor.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Collects, analyzes, and documents business rules, processes, and legislation.

Leads business requirements gathering sessions with business and technical resources for complex system development projects.

Analyzes legislation or other business documentation (i.e., RFPs) to determine necessary IT system changes or changes to business processes required to meet the objectives of an agency initiative.

Works with business users to develop and implement improved business processes for their application to an IT system in support of agency program policy.

Works with users to develop or enhance system requirements.

Prepares or reviews detailed functional specifications for complex IT system development or enhancement projects to be used by developers for system coding.

Participates in the development of detailed functional specifications for highly complex system development and enhancement projects.

Develops user acceptance test scripts.

Conducts system testing or coordinates system testing with users.

Reviews and approves test results performed by contractors.

Prepares system change requests.

Plans for the implementation of system changes.

Recommends system or system change implementation schedules.

Updates training materials and provides user training.

Troubleshoots system, data, or process problems.

Prepares queries and reports using various reporting software packages.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the System Development Life Cycle methodologies used in information technology projects.

Knowledge of systems analysis principles, practices, and techniques.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of applications development for information technology systems.

Ability to analyze and interpret written and numerical information.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year as a Business Analyst 1;

                                                                                                                                                                                  or

One year as an Information Technology Trainee;

                                                                                                                                                                                  or

One year of business process analysis experience and a bachelor’s degree;

or

Five years of business process analysis experience;

or

An equivalent combination of experience and training.